Avient Corporation vs Union Pacific Corporation — how do they compare? Avient Corporation trades at $35.25 (market cap $3.28B), while Union Pacific Corporation trades at $288 (market cap $171.17B). The key difference: Union Pacific Corporation is far larger — about 52.2× Avient Corporation's market cap, and Avient Corporation pays the higher dividend (3.07%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AVNT | UNP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $3.28B | $171.17B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $43.28 | $289.13 |
52-Week Low | $27.48 | $214.91 |
Enterprise Value | $4.78B | $201.64B |
Dividend Yield | 3.07% | 1.91% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Avient Corporation (AVNT) trades at $35.57, down 1.28% with a bearish technical signal. The company shows consistent earnings beats with Q1 2026 EPS of $0.83 exceeding expectations. Fundamentals reveal a P/E of 20.79 and net income margin of 4.81%, while cash flow trends improved from -$34M in 2025 to -$28M projected for 2026. Recent developments include new product launches and ClassNK approval for Dyneema DM20 fiber, supporting growth in renewable energy markets.
AVNT presents a mixed outlook with strong analyst support (60% buy ratings) offset by near-term technical weakness. The company's innovation pipeline and cost control measures provide upside potential, though macroeconomic headwinds and competitive pressures remain key risks. Earnings growth and successful market expansion of new technologies are critical catalysts for stock performance.
Union Pacific (UNP) trades at $289.13, up 0.76% with a bullish technical signal. The company shows strong profitability with 29.2% net margins and 40.69% ROE, though valuation multiples remain elevated. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 2026, and the proposed Norfolk Southern merger represents a significant growth catalyst. Cash flow generation remains robust at $9.29B from operations in 2025.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus at Buy and $304.23 price target, though regulatory hurdles for the merger and elevated RSI levels pose near-term risks. The stock offers dividend growth potential with stable operational performance, but faces headwinds from industry consolidation concerns and potential legal liabilities from ongoing class action litigation.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Avient Corporation is a global leader in specialized and sustainable material solutions. Formed from the legacy of PolyOne and Clariant’s masterbatch business, it provides highly engineered polymer formulations, color systems, and advanced composites that enhance the performance and sustainability of products in industries like healthcare, defense, and consumer packaging.
Read more on AVNT →Omaha, Nebraska-based Union Pacific is the largest public railroad in North America. Operating on more than 30,000 miles of track in the western two thirds of the U.S., UP generated roughly $22 billion of revenue in 2021 by hauling coal, industrial products, intermodal containers, agriculture goods, chemicals, and automotive goods. UP owns about one fourth of Mexican railroad Ferromex and derives about 10% of its revenue hauling freight to and from Mexico.
Read more on UNP →